1980 Chev rear axle bearings

old · Aug 20, 2008

So I had one go out today. Now the question should I replace them both as in each side or just do the bad one. I'm think since I have it open I'll do both and tighten up the pinion bearing at the same time its a little loose and makes noise so thinking about do it all at once. What do you guys think. Cost will be about $25 per side so I figure if I do them both I'll be money.time ahead. Ya sort of Off topic but its my tractor hauling truck and it has hauled in a lot of them.
Thanks
Hobby farm

GREGinMO · Aug 20, 2008

I would do them both also, since you will have the cover off. Keep in mind if your axle shafts are grooved, they make the "axle saver" type bearing that relocates the brg to a good spot on the axle.

Roy in georgia · Aug 20, 2008

if you tighten the pinion make sure the backlash is correct I have set many by feel but there is tools for this a shim kit may be in order on this

Anonymous-0 · Aug 20, 2008

I agree with opinions about both bearings. I would not mess with the pinion. You could be asking for problems.

old · Aug 20, 2008

This one has been loose a long time and I have been meaning to get around to torquing it up some but never got to it. I've been told it has a crush sort of set up so I figure I'll just snug it up just a little bit but not go over board on it. One thing I do hate is getting the spider gears back in it always seem you have to try 3 or 4 times to get them to line up so you can then get the pin back in
Hobby farm

old · Aug 20, 2008

Yep I know about them. If I didn't I would have just gone and got the part them open it up but I'll open it up first then go get the parts so I know I get the right one the first time. But those do cost about $30 each but I guess its worth it
Hobby farm

Revredneck · Aug 21, 2008

I agree with the others about replacing both sides while you're at it. Also, while you have the bearings and seals out, you might tie a rag on a mop handle and wipe out the residue in the axle tubes. If you had a bearing failure, there will be metal particles in there that will make the rest of the bearings fail, too. Better yet, remove the carrier and flush out the whole housing. NAPA sells a kit with all the bearings and seals for the whole rearend, but you will have to get your "axle savers" separately.
Good Luck and God Bless,
Tommy

Roy in georgia · Aug 21, 2008

I've never really had much trouble putting spider gears in but the pinion does have a crush sleeve in it and when you get it torqued the backlash needs to be checked with a dial indicator but I am sure it will work as is just helps prevent unnecessary wear on the gears

old · Aug 21, 2008

This one had at least a 1/4 inch of up down play in it so I tighten it up some today. Still has a good 1/16 inch or better but at least its a little less now

1980 Chev rear axle bearings

old

Well-known Member

GREGinMO

Member

Roy in georgia

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Revredneck

Member

Roy in georgia

Member

old

Well-known Member

Similar threads